EzMoney Harper dies at 21, remembered for activism, friendship

EzMoney Harper’s character and actions, from his friendship and loyalty to his initiative, matched every step of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, according to his friends.

“He was a very beautiful soul,” said Devin Murphy, a close friend of Harper’s. “He was a listener who wants to get to know you and … there are not a lot of people like that.”

Harper, a fourth-year engineering student, died in a motorcycle accident on Dec. 24. He was 21 years old.

Murphy, a fifth-year African American studies and political science student, said Harper personified the academic success that UCLA students strive to achieve, as a Dean’s Honors list student and an active member of UCLA mentorship programs, and was also a loyal friend and a gentle soul.

Harper’s ability to listen and empathize with others helped him relate to the high school students he mentored through the Vice Provost Initiative for Pre-College Scholars Program, or VIPS, Murphy said. The program aims to bring students from underrepresented backgrounds to higher education.

Murphy said some students Harper worked with were admitted to UCLA, in part as a result of his guidance and support.

Harper grew up in one of Los Angeles’ most underserved neighborhoods and continued to face obstacles as one of the few black engineering students at UCLA. Murphy said Harper used these experiences to fuel his desire to create positive change in the community.

“EzMoney made it his mission as a student at UCLA to focus on giving back, particularly giving back to young black high school students,” Murphy said.

He added Harper strove to mobilize young people to make an impact, as he hoped to impact his own neighborhood and the larger black community.

“He really believed in the power of (young black men and women),” Murphy said.

Travis Dumas, Harper’s friend and fourth-year political science student, said Harper worked to increase the number of black men in higher education, through his work with the Black Male Institute and the African Men’s Collective. Dumas and Harper formerly served as co-chairs of the African Men’s Collective.

Murphy said Harper was known for his selfless personality and giving nature.

“He did not only push through for himself but pushed through for others,” Murphy said.

He added Harper still managed to commit fully to the programs he was most passionate about, such as VIPS, despite his rigorous course load and numerous extracurricular activities.

Jonli Tunstall, director of VIPS, said Harper was constantly in the office trying to find new ways to get involved with the program.

“His presence and energy will be missed,” Tunstall said. “A huge void is left in the lives of so many students and so many programs across campus.”

Murphy said Harper’s work both on and off campus serves as an inspiration to his friends and family.

“EzMoney would want people to continue the work that he was doing, whether that be getting more black engineering students on campus, getting more black male students on campus or (encouraging) mentorship from college students to high school students,” Murphy said.

A GoFundMe page created to honor EzMoney Harper, raised more than $9,000. The funds will be used for funeral services and a monument at Washington Preparatory High School, where Harper attended high school, according to the page.